(a) General.
(1) The purpose of these design standards is to guide the design of buildings constructed in the CBD Zoning District to ensure that, through appropriate use of facades, windows, building orientation and architectural details, new structures and alterations of existing structures are physically and visually compatible with other buildings within the downtown business district. Existing buildings in the downtown area reflect a distinctive but varied set of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century architectural styles. It is the desire of the city to have buildings that are sensitive to the existing architectural styles.
(2) These standards are intended to encourage quality design in new building construction, enhance street safety and provide a comfortable street environment by providing features of interest to pedestrians. Good design results in buildings that are in visual harmony with nearby buildings, leading to a central downtown district that is attractive, interesting, active and safe. These qualities, in turn, contribute to the creation of a downtown core that facilitates easy pedestrian movement and establishment of a rich mixture of uses.
(b) Dimensional standards.
(1) Lot area, lot width, and lot depth: as specified in the CBD zoning district.
(2) Setbacks: new construction and infill buildings must maintain the alignment of facades within 18 inches along the sidewalk edge. Exceptions may be granted if the setback is pedestrian-oriented and contributes to the quality and character of the streetscape. An example would be for outdoor dining.
(3) Building height: the minimum height of a structure at the sidewalk edge shall be 18 feet or the average height of the buildings on that block, whichever is higher.
(c) Pedestrian accessibility.
(1) Buildings shall maintain and enhance the pedestrian scale and orientation of the downtown core.
(2) Special attention shall be given to designing a primary building entrance, which is both attractive and functional.
(3) Buildings located at the intersection of two streets shall consider the use of a corner entrance to the building.
(4) Pedestrian environment may be enhanced by street furniture, landscaping, awnings and movable planters of seasonal flowers.
(d) Compatibility with existing downtown businesses. The size and shape of proposed construction shall be comparable with the size and shape of surrounding buildings. Where building sizes will not be equivalent or comparable, larger building facades shall be broken down into units that resemble the size of existing storefront facades. Likewise, the form of new construction shall complement the general shape of existing, nearby storefront buildings and their features.
(e) Building materials and colors.
(1) Facades shall be varied and articulated to provide visual interest to pedestrians. Within larger projects, variations in facades, floor levels, architectural features and exterior finishes shall create the appearance of several smaller buildings.
(2) Exterior building materials shall convey an impression of durability. Materials such as masonry, stone, stucco and wood are encouraged. Metal siding is not permitted as the primary exterior building material, but metal may be used for accents including awnings. Other materials not permitted as primary wall surfaces are: vinyl siding; cast block; glass block; faux stone; plywood sheathing; chipboard or wood composite sheathing; plastic composite sheathing; fiberglass panels; board-and-batten; or rough wood surfaces. Cast block, glass block and other materials and treatments may be used on a minority of the surfaces within the facade for the purpose of providing decorative elements or visual breaks.
(3) Where masonry is used for exterior finish, decorative patterns should be incorporated. Examples of these decorative patterns include multicolored masonry units such as brick, stone or cast stone, in layered or geometric patterns or split-faced concrete block to simulate a rusticated stone-type construction.
(4) Wood siding must be bevel, shingle siding or channel siding and must not be applied in a diagonal or herringbone pattern. T-111 style siding is not permitted.
(5) Preferred colors for exterior building finishes are earth tones, creams and pastels of earth tones. High-intensity primary colors and metallic colors may be utilized as trim and detail colors but shall not be used as primary wall colors.
(f) Roof materials, parapets and roof pitch.
(1) Pitched roof structures shall have a minimum roof pitch of 6:12.
(2) Flat roofs are permitted with detailed parapets or detailed brick coursing.
(3) Visible sloped roofs must be a “non-color”: gray; black; or dark brown.
(4) Visible roof materials must be slate, tile, wood or architectural grade composition shingle, or sheet metal with standing or batten seam.
(5) All roof and wall-mounted mechanical, electrical, communications and service equipment, including satellite dishes and vent pipes, must be screened from public view by parapets, walls or by other approved means consistent and compatible with the architectural style of the building.
(6) The design should be applicable to a variety of business and/or residential uses and not specific to one business or corporate entity. Roof outlines or materials, which serve as a business or corporate identity, are not permitted.
(g) Building facades.
(1) Building entrances must be architecturally emphasized and visible from the street.
(2) Ornamental devices, such as molding, entablature and friezes, are encouraged at the roofline.
(3) Alcoves, porches, arcades and the like. Buildings should incorporate features such as arcades, roofs, porches, alcoves, porticoes and awnings to protect pedestrians from the rain and sun. Awnings and entrances may be designed to be shared between two structures.
(4) For buildings designed to house retail, service or office businesses, traditional storefront elements are required. These elements include:
(A) Clearly delineated upper and lower facades;
(B) A lower facade dominated by large display windows and a recessed entry or entries; required window areas must be either windows that allow views into working areas, or lobbies, pedestrian entrances or display windows;
(C) Smaller, regularly spaced windows in the upper floor(s); and
(D) Decorative trims, such as window hoods, surrounding upper floor windows.
(h) Windows. All new buildings must provide ground floor windows on any elevation abutting the street. Windows, which allow views to the interior activity or display areas, are encouraged. Windows should include architecturally appropriate trim or molding around the perimeter, sills at the bottom and pediments at the top. If this is not possible, then some compensatory element must be added. Reflective glass and painted or darkly tinted glass are discouraged.
(i) Landscaping/streetscape.
(1) Benches, outdoor seating and trash receptacles must complement the existing ornamental street lighting and be in keeping with the overall architectural character of the downtown.
(2) Benches and other streetscape items may be placed within the public right-of way, but must not block free movement of pedestrians. A minimum pedestrian walkway width of five feet must be maintained at all times.
(j) Lighting.
(1) All building entrances and exits must be well lighted.
(2) Exterior lighting must be an integral part of the architectural design of the structure.
(k) External storage. The external storage of merchandise and/or materials directly or indirectly related to a business is prohibited.
(l) Outdoor seasonal displays of merchandise. Outdoor seasonal displays of merchandise are permitted during business hours only. A minimum pedestrian walkway width of five feet must be maintained at all times.
(m) Trash and recycling storage. Each structure shall provide for collection of its trash and recyclable materials within the boundaries of each parcel. All trash collection areas must be located within the structure, or behind the building in an enclosure, in accordance with Art. 1151. On the street level, mechanical elements, refuse storage areas and loading dock areas must be out of view of pedestrians. This should be a part of the building design and not simply added fencing.
(n) Signage. In accordance with § 1346.06(i).
(o) Additional requirements. The above provisions shall be applicable to any construction or change in use subject to site and design review. The Planning Commission of the City of Williamsport will evaluate construction for compliance with these provisions and the zoning ordinance, subject to acceptance by Williamsport City Council.
(Ord. 6133, approved 4-30-2009)